Christina Masewicz

I first contacted Christina Masewicz on May 20, 2004.  Christina attended the 1979 trial, she has communicated with a number of the main players in this case, and she now has a website that contains a mass of documentation ranging from court transcripts to CID/FBI laboratory notes.  Since our initial contact, she has been willing to share her insights on the MacDonald case, ranging from her impressions of the trial to her thoughts on several government investigators and attorneys.

In terms of the participants at trial, Christina had a unique take on several individuals.  For example, she was the only person that I'm aware of who attended the trial, yet had a less than sterling opinion of Paul Stombaugh's performance on the stand.  She stated that Stombaugh was sort of passive on the stand and that to her, he did not come across as a strong witness. It's an interesting contrast to Joe McGinniss' opinion that Stombaugh exemplified how a government witness should present himself.  Christina's most stark memory of the evidentiary items presented at trial was when the pajama top was first put on display. She stated that the pajama top was soaked in blood and was disturbing to see. She added that it was hard to understand how MacDonald could have gotten his hands wrapped up in the pajama top and was unable to get them free.  She pointed out that the sleeves of the pajama top did not fit tight and there were no buttons on the cuffs.

Regarding the investigators in this case, Christina describes William Ivory as an outspoken person who enjoys life and having fun.  She adds that Ivory has vivid memories of what he found at the crime scene that will remain with him for the rest of his life.  Christina stated that Robert Shaw was a tall man, and a good investigator.  She reserved her most glowing comments for Peter Kearns.  She states that Kearns is passionate about this case, that he is not afraid to voice his convictions, and advised her that when researching this case she should KISS (e.g., Keep It Simple Stupid).  She added that Kearns is a good man and that she was proud to call him her friend.

Christina also provided me with insights on the personalities of Brian Murtagh and James Blackburn.  She describes Murtagh as a very quiet man who remains in the background and rarely provides statements to the press.  Murtagh has sent her several documents which included Judge Fox's 1999 decision on DNA testing protocol, and Murtagh's verbal and written responses to the defense team's arguments to the parole board in 2005.  She acknowledges that Murtagh still knows all of the CID and FBI exhibit numbers by heart. Christina states that James Blackburn is a kind man, a gentleman, and that he remains convinced that the trial verdict was a fair one.

In my opinion, Christina's website remains the standard for those individuals who consider themselves to be serious true crime case researchers.  Trial and Grand Jury transcripts, lab notes, and interview/interrogation transcripts are a researcher's Holy Grail.  She has provided MacDonald case researchers with this material and we are all better for it. Knowledge is power and digesting this material has certainly filled in the gaps for me, and has allowed me to defend my position on this case with supreme confidence.